Rugby loss regrettable
Kenya 15s head coach Jerome Paarwater (in blue) leads a training session. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE
What you need to know:
- There was some real belief and optimism that this was going to be the year Kenya finally breaks the duck in the longer version of the game to dine with the big boys.
- It’s unfortunate that Kenya missed the best opportunity ever for a maiden Rugby World Cup appearance in the longer version of the game.
Kenya’s failure to qualify for what would have been the first Rugby World Cup appearance was a devastating anti-climax to a fairytale run.
After putting a lot of hard work and intensive preparation, the Kenyan team held fate in its hands with convincing victories over Namibia and hosts Madagascar in their first two matches of the Four-Nation qualifying tournament.
Among the players and fans alike, there was some real belief and optimism that this was going to be the year Kenya finally breaks the duck in the longer version of the game to dine with the big boys.
Sadly, these hopes and expectations were turned into despair and disappointment on Sunday when the team collapsed against a tactically superior Zimbabwean side in the decisive match.
Namibia, who Kenya had beaten in the first game, ended up making it to the World Cup after a thrashing of Madagascar earned the points difference in a three-way tie.
It’s unfortunate that Kenya missed the best opportunity ever for a maiden Rugby World Cup appearance in the longer version of the game, but let that not be the end of efforts to match the great accomplishments of the rugby sevens team.
